Swashbuckler (a.k.a. swasher) is a term that emerged in the 16th century[1] and has been used as a term for pirates and swordsmen ever since. A possible explanation for this term is that it derives from a fighting style using a side-sword with a buckler in the off-hand, which was applied with much "swashing and making a noise on the buckler".[2] Later the name "swashbuckler" (like gunslinger) became common for an archetype and the accordant special filmgenre.[3]

Usually swashbuckling romances are set in Europe from the late Renaissance up through the Age of Reason and the Napoleonic Wars. The renaissance saw the introduction of the rapier as a civilian weapon, and the rise of the duel of honour (as opposed to the older judicial duel) in fashionable society. Victorian-era authors of historical romances such as Walter Scott and Alexandre Dumas saw the art of rapier fencing as the origin of contemporary thrust-oriented small-sword fencing, and dismissed the earlier swords as heavy and fencing systems of earlier periods as inferior, slower and relying on cleaving blows and brute strength. In fact, modern scholars of historical fencing have largely disproved these assumptions about the older fencing systems. The perceived significant and widespread role of swordsmanship in civilian society as well as warfare in the renaissance and enlightenment periods led to fencing being performed on theatre stages as part of plays. Soon actors were taught to fence in an entertaining, dramatic manner. Eventually fencing became an established part of a classical formation for actors.

Consequently, when movie theatres mushroomed, ambitious actors took the chance to present their accordant skills on the screen. Since silent movies were no proper medium for long dialogues, the classic stories about heroes who would defend their honour with sword in hand were simplified and sheer action would gain priority. This was the birth of a new kind of film hero: the swashbuckler.[6]